Collapsible bookcase.



Patented Aug.- 22,]899.

A. C. STEININGER. GDLLAPSIBLE BOOKCASE.

(Application filed Sept. 12, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR O. STEININGER, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

COLLAPSIBLE BOOKCASE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 631,341, dated August 22,1899.

Application filed September 12; 1898. Serial No. 690,718 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR O. STEININGER, residing at South Bend, county of St. Joseph, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Bookcases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention consists in a collapsible bookcase which can be easily and quickly taken apart and the various parts assembled and arranged within a casing or box formed by the back of the bookcase.

The invention further consists of the novel arrangements and combination of parts, whereby the use of nails, screws, or other fastening devices for holding the various parts of the case together are dispensed with.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the bookcase. Fig. 2 is a back view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on a line a; a; of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5- are enlarged detail views showing manner of connecting the sides to the top and base of the case. Figs. 6 and 7 are partial detail views of the top and base of the case.

A designates the top portion of the case, which is provided on both its ends with openings a and a. B is the base portion, which is also provided with openings b and b to correspond in vertical alinement with the openings a and a in the top.

0 are the sides terminating on both ends with extensions or continuations, which are provided with shoulders c, which are inserted into the openings a and a and b and b of the top and base and moved tothe side so as to engage and firmly hold the top, base, and sides together.

E is the back, divided into four separate parts hinged together, which is held in place on its lower end bya retaining-strip e, secured to the base portion, and on its upper end by cleats a pivoted to the top.

It willbe seen that the bookcase proper, without shelving or ornamental Work, comprises five parts, as the top, base, two sides, and the back. It will also be seen that when the back is placed in position it abuts against cleats-o on the side pieces, and being held in position by the retaining-strip e on the lower end and the pivoted cleats a on the upper end all parts are firmly held together in the proper relation to each other, and also that the back, which is fitted so as to have all four edges incased, prevents any lateral swaying or wabbling of the case. The shelving may be held in position in the manner shown, or any suitable arrangement allowing the shelves to be easily and'quickly removed may be employed. The case can be easily and quickly taken apart, the various parts assembled and arranged within a box formed by the back thereof, and thus made into a neat and convenient form for removal or shipment. 7

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A bookcase, composed of the top A having openings at and a at its respective ends, and pivoted to its back cleats a a base Bprovided with openings b, b correspondin gin vertical alinement with the openings in the top, a retaining-strip e secured to the base, side pieces C having shoulders 0 adapted to engage the openings a, a, and b, b, and the back E engaged by the cleats a and retaining-strip e, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR O. STEININGER.

Witnesses:

GEORGE G. FELDMAN, GEORGE ALTSCH. 

